Fr Braganza was speaking to media persons regarding the land around the Vailankanni Chapel after the demarcation exercise was initiated by the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) on Tuesday.
Fr Braganza clarified that the disputed stretch behind the chapel has traditionally been used as a parking area by devotees visiting the shrine and also includes a small open space where a cross has been erected. He maintained that the land is government property and not owned by the MPA as was being claimed.
Fr Braganza stated that the main property on which the Vailankanni Chapel stands was taken on lease from the government and is not part of MPA land.
He questioned the sudden claim made by the port authority and challenged the MPA to produce valid ownership documents if the land genuinely belongs to them.
“The parking area and the small portion where the cross stands are open government lands and not MPA property. The chapel itself has been built on government land taken on lease. If the MPA claims ownership, they must show proper documents,” said Fr Braganza.
He added that the issue has already been brought to the attention of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant by parishioners and devotees.
According to Fr Braganza, the chief minister has assured intervention in the matter after being briefed about the concerns of the local community and the need to preserve parking space for devotees visiting the chapel.
Fr Braganza clarified that the chapel committee is not opposing the demarcation process itself, but has requested authorities to defer the exercise until the matter is discussed at the government level.
“We informed them that the issue is now before the chief minister and requested them to hold the exercise for the time being. We are glad that authorities understood the situation and deferred the demarcation,” he said.
On Tuesday, MPA officials had arrived at the site to carry out a demarcation exercise, leading to objections from parishioners and local residents who gathered near the chapel questioning the ownership claim over the land frequently used by devotees for parking during masses and annual feasts.
Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar had also intervened at the site after parishioners raised objections over the demarcation exercise being carried out by MPA officials.
Amonkar had urged authorities to temporarily defer the exercise until the ownership dispute is discussed with the state government and relevant documents are verified.
Parish Priest Fr Xavier Braganza along with parishioners later thanked Amonkar for intervening in the matter and supporting the concerns of devotees and local residents attached to the Vailankanni Chapel.
